Phase behavior in mixtures of a homopolymer and a block copolymer. 4. SALS and SAXS studies

Phase behavior of blends of poly(vinyl methyl ether) (PVME) with four styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) triblock copolymers, being of various molecular weights, architecture, and compositions, was investigated by small-angle light scattering. Small-angle X-ray scattering investigation was accomplished for one blend. Low critical solution temperature (LCST) and a unique phase behavior, resembling upper critical solution temperature (UCST), were observed. It was found that the architecture of the copolymer greatly influenced the phase behavior of the blends. Random phase approximation theory was used to calculate the spinodal phase transition curves of the ABA/C and BAB/C systems; LCST and resembling UCST phase behavior were observed as the parameters of the system changed. Qualitatively, the experimental and the theoretical results are consistent with each other. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Fast-slow stochastic dynamical system with singular coefficients

This paper aims to study the asymptotic behavior of a fast-slow stochastic dynamical system with singular coefficients, where the fast motion is given by a continuous diffusion process while the slow component is driven by an α-stable noise with α ∈ [1, 2). Using Zvonkin’s transformation and the technique of the Poisson equation, we have that both the strong and weak convergences in the averaging principle are established, which can be viewed as a functional law of large numbers. Then we study t...     

A control volume finite element method for three-dimensional three-phase flows

A novel control volume finite element method with adaptive anisotropic unstructured meshes is presented for three-dimensional three-phase flows with interfacial tension. The numerical framework consists of a mixed control volume and finite element formulation with a new P₁DG-P₂ elements (linear discontinuous velocity between elements and quadratic continuous pressure between elements). A “volume of fluid” type method is used for the interface capturing, which is based on compressive control volume advection and second-order finite element methods. A force-balanced continuum surface force model is employed for the interfacial tension on unstructured meshes. The interfacial tension coefficient decomposition method is also used to deal with interfacial tension pairings between different phases. Numerical examples of benchmark tests and the dynamics of three-dimensional three-phase rising bubble, and droplet impact are presented. The results are compared with the analytical solutions and previously published experimental data, demonstrating the capability of the present method.     

Adaptive vehicle posture and height synchronization control of active air suspension systems with multiple uncertainties

This paper addresses the tasks of height and posture motion control for an electronically controlled active air suspension (AAS) system. A mathematical model of a vehicle body with AAS system is established to describe the dynamic characteristics and then formulated into a multi-input multi-output nonlinear system by considering parametric uncertainties and unmodelled dynamics. Based on this mathematical model, a synchronization control strategy is proposed to adjust the heights of adjacent AASs simultaneously, driving the pitch and roll angles closely to an arbitrarily neighborhood of zero, achieving global uniform ultimate boundedness. The proposed controller is robust to parametric uncertainties and external disturbances. A projection operator is utilized to limit the estimated parameters to their corresponding prescribed bounds in finite time. A co-simulation is conducted by combining a virtual vehicle plant with ASS system in AMEsim with the proposed synchronization controller in MATLAB/Simulink. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed synchronization controller is effective and robust.     

Design and experimental validation of a nonlinear controller for underactuated surface vessels

Nonlinear Dynamics - This paper addresses the problem of trajectory tracking control of an underactuated surface vessel moving in a two-dimensional space in the presence of unknown disturbances. In...     

Multi-Objective Optimization of Braun-Type Exothermic Reactor for Ammonia Synthesis

The exothermic reactor for ammonia synthesis is a primary device determining the performance of the energy storage system. The Braun-type ammonia synthesis reactor is used as the exothermic reactor to improve the heat release rate. Due to the entirely different usage scenarios and design objectives, its parameters need to be redesigned and optimized. Based on finite-time thermodynamics, a one-dimensional model is established to analyze the effects of inlet gas molar flow rate, hydrogen–nitrogen ratio, reactor length and inlet temperature on the total entropy generation rate and the total exothermic rate of the reactor. It’s found that the total exothermic rate mainly depends on the inlet molar flow rate. Furthermore, considering the minimum total entropy generation rate and maximum total exothermic rate, the NSGA-II algorithm is applied to optimize seven reactor parameters including the inlet molar flow rate, lengths and temperatures of the three reactors. Lastly, the optimized reactor is obtained from the Pareto front using three fuzzy decision methods and deviation index. Compared with the reference reactor, the total exothermic rate of the optimized reactor is improved by 12.6% while the total entropy generation rate is reduced by 3.4%. The results in this paper can provide some guidance for the optimal design and application of exothermic reactors in practical engineering.     

黏弹性接触界面端附近的奇异应力场

研究蠕变加载条件下线黏弹性材料接触界面端附近的奇异应力场问题.考虑接触界面的摩擦,假设界面端的滑移方向不改变,相对滑移量微小,且其与位移同量级,由此线性化局部边界条件,根据对应原理得到Laplace变换域中的界面端应力场,导出时域中奇异应力场的卷积积分表达式.对卷积积分核函数进行数值反演,考虑接触材料的两类组合,一是持久模量具有量级上的差异,另一是持久模量接近相同.算例结果证实核函数可以用准弹性法求得的解析式较准确地近似.在此基础上,利用积分中值定理,并引入各应力分量的修正系数,得到黏弹性奇异应力场的简化式.结合核函数的数值反演结果分析修正系数表达式的取值范围,得到如下结论,若两相接触材料的持久模量相差很大,可以采用准弹性解的解析式较准确地描述界面端的奇异应力场;一般情况下,应力场不存在统一的奇异值和应力强度系数,当采用类似于准弹性解的表达式近似给出黏弹性应力场时,可以估计此近似描述的误差限.文中最后采用有限元分析黏弹性板端部嵌入部位的应力场,算例包括了黏弹性板与弹性金属支承、黏弹性板与黏弹性垫层所形成的滑移接触界面端,利用黏弹性有限元的数值结果验证理论分析所得结论的有效性.      

Heteroctanuclear Au4Ag4 Cluster Complexes of 4,5-Diethynylacridin-9-One with Luminescent Mechanochromism

Two heteroctanuclear Au₄Ag₄ cluster complexes of 4,5-diethynylacridin-9-one (H₂L) were prepared through the self-assembly reactions of [Au(tht)₂](CF₃SO₃), Ag(tht)(CF₃SO₃), H₂L and PPh₃ or PPh₂Py (2-(diphenylphosphino)pyridine). The Au₄Ag₄ cluster consists of a [Au₄L₄]⁴⁻ and four [Ag(PPh₃)]⁺ or [Ag(PPh₂Py)]⁺ units with Au₄L₄ framework exhibiting a twisted paper clip structure. In CH₂Cl₂ solutions at ambient temperature, both compounds show ligand fluorescence at ca. 463 nm as well as phosphorescence at 650 nm for 1 and 630 nm for 2 resulting from admixture of ³IL (intraligand) of L ligand, ³LMCT (from L ligand to Au₄Ag₄) and ³MC (metal-cluster) triplet states. Crystals or crystalline powders manifest bright yellow-green phosphorescence with vibronic-structured emission bands at 530 (568sh) nm for complex 1 and 536 (576sh) nm for complex 2. Upon mechanical grinding, yellow-green emission in the crystalline state is dramatically converted to red luminescence centered at ca. 610 nm with a drastic redshift of the emission after crystal packing is destroyed.